A severe cold wave, accompanied by dense fog, has led to widespread school closures and extended winter vacations across several states in North India during early January 2026. This measure has been implemented to ensure the safety and well-being of students amidst plunging temperatures and poor visibility. In Delhi, the Directorate of Education has officially extended winter holidays, announcing that all schools will remain closed until January 15, 2026. Uttar Pradesh has also seen extensive closures, with district administrations in Gautam Buddh Nagar (Noida) and Ghaziabad ordering all schools up to Class 8 to stay shut until January 10, 2026. Similarly, Lucknow's District Magistrate has extended school closures for classes up to 8 until January 10, while classes 9 to 12 are operating with revised timings from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Various other districts in UP have also prolonged holidays, some even until January 14. Bihar is significantly impacted, with Patna's district administration mandating the closure of all government and private schools up to Class 8 until January 11, 2026. Other districts like Begusarai, Munger, Supaul, Bhojpur, and Bhagalpur have closed schools up to Class 8 until January 10, with Banka extending closures till January 12 and Buxar till January 13. Punjab's Education Minister confirmed that all government, aided, recognized, and private schools across the state will remain closed until January 13, 2026, with classes slated to resume on January 14. Neighbouring Haryana has declared winter holidays for all schools from January 1 to January 15, 2026, with reopening scheduled for January 16. In Jharkhand, the Ranchi district administration has ordered the closure of all schools from KG to Class 12 until January 10, 2026. These decisions reflect a concerted effort by state governments and local authorities to prioritize student health and minimize risks associated with the harsh winter conditions.